Wheeled ski skate

ABSTRACT

A pair of wheeled ski skates adapted to simulate skiing, each skate comprising an elongate first platform adapted to be secured (strapped) to the skier&#39;&#39;s foot, a second platform, roller means supporting the platforms, an axial hinge interconnecting the platforms and permitting relative rotation of the platforms about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate, and spring means interposed between the platforms for biasing the platforms to a generally horizontal neutral position. The rider, by shifting his weight on the ski skate, causes the first platform to rotate relative to the second platform thereby to simulate ski-like movement of the ski skates.

United States Patent n 1 Sessa 1 June 24, 1975 1 1 WHEELED SKI SKATE 22 Filed: Apr. 22, 1974 211 App]. No.: 462,873

[52] US. Cl. 2811/11.]9; 280/8704 R [51] Int. Cl. A631: 1/28 [58] Field (Search 280/11.l9.7.l3, 11.1 BT, 280/l1.l R, 11.23, 11.28, 87.04 11.87.04 A

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,126.35) 8/1938 Vogt 280/1128 2.403.885 7/1946 Thompson 280/713 3.153.543 10/1964 Magvar 280/113 2.545.543 3/1951 Bottrill 280/1123 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 426.457 4/1935 United Kingdom 280/1 1.19 461,286 5/1928 Germany 280/1 1.19 959.743 4/1949 France 280111.] BT

191.036 5/1937 Switzerland 280/] 1.23

Prinmry E.\'uminerKenneth H. Betts Ass/Mun! E.\amim'rDavid M. Mitchell Attorney. Agent. or Firnr-Koenig. Senniger. Powers and Leavitt l 57 l ABSTRACT A pair of wheeled ski skates adapted to simulate skiing, each skate comprising an elongate first platform adapted to be secured (strapped) to the skiers foot, 21 second platform, roller means supporting the platforms. an axial hinge interconnecting the platforms and permitting relative rotation of the platforms about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate, and spring means interposed between the platforms for biasing the platforms to a generally horizontal neutral position. The rider. by shifting his weight on the ski skate, causes the first platform to rotate relative to the second platform thereby to simulate ski-like movement of the ski skates.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTED JUN 2 4 m5 PATENTEDJUN 24 I975 SHEET FIGS IBM

WHEELED SKI SKATE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a wheeled ski for simulating skiing, and more particularly to a wheeled ski skate.

Skiing has greatly increased in popularity in recent years, and many more persons, especially youngsters, would like to experience this sport but are prevented from doing so by the lack of suitable skiing conditions, the expense of traveling to ski slopes and the expense of ski equipment. Wheeled skis or ski skates have been proposed for simulating skiing while rolling on hard pavement in roller skate fashion. Examples of such wheeled ski skates are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,403,885 and 2,545,543. However, these prior wheeled skis were unable to simulate ski-like movement or to duplicate the feeling and fun of skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision ofwheeled ski skates which realistically simulate skiing; the provision of such wheeled ski skates which are dynamically stable and which accurately reproduce the feeling and the fun of skiing; the provision of such wheeled ski skates which are not interconnected to one another; and the provision of such ski skates which are of simple and rugged construction and which are economical to manufacture.

Briefly, apparatus of this invention for simulating skiing includes a pair of ski skates, each of which comprises an elongate first platform, means on the first platform for securement to a skiers foot, first roller means carried by the first platform, a second platform, second roller means carried by the second platform, and means interconnecting the first and second platforms for rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate. This interconnecting means further includes an axial hinge interconnecting the platforms and permitting relative rotation of the platforms about the longitudinal axis, and further include spring means interposed between the platforms for biasing the platforms to a generally horizontal neutral position so that upon the skier shifting his weight on the first platform causes relative rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ski skate of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the ski skate of FIG. 1 illustrating its platforms in their neutral positions; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the platforms in a rotated position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, a wheeled ski skate of this invention is generally indicated in its entirety by reference numeral 1. It will be understood that a skier or user of this invention uses a pair of ski skates 1, one for each foot. Since each of the pair of ski skates is identical, only one is shown and described in detail herein.

More particularly, ski skate 1 includes an elongate first or front platform 3 which is generally in the shape of the forward portion ofa snow ski having an upturned point 4 constituting its forward end and having a tongue 5 at its rear end, tongue 5 being centered with respect to the center line of the ski skate and being somewhat narrower than the width of the ski platform. Means, are generally indicated at 7, is provided for securement of the ski skate to the foot of the skier. First or front roller means, as indicated at 9, is carried by the first platform for rolling on the ground. The ski skate further includes a second or rear platform 11 and second or rear roller means 13 carried by the second platform. As shown in FIG. I, the rear platform 11 is the same width as tongue 5. Means, as indicated at 15, interconnects the first and second platforms for enabling rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate. This interconnecting means includes an axial hinge I7 interconnecting the platforms and permitting relative axial rotation of the platforms and springs 19 interposed between the platforms for biasing them to a generally horizontal neutral position in which the platforms are coplanar, as shown in FIG. 3. With the ski skate l in its neutral position, the skier may shift his weight on the first platform relative to the longitudinal center plane of the ski skate, thereby to cause relative axial rotation of the first and second platforms about the axis of the axial hinge so as to simulate movement of a snow ski when skiing.

More particularly, the first roller means 9 comprises a single wheel 21 adjacent the outer end of the first platform 3, and the second roller means 13 comprises a pair of wheels 23a, 23b spaced in side-by-side relation on the rear platform. The front wheel is positioned substantially on the center plane of the ski skate and rear wheels 23a, 23b are positioned on opposite sides of the center plane, whereby upon a skier shifting his weight on the first platform, the second platform remains generally horizontal and the first platform rotates on axial hinge l7 and on front wheel 21 about the longitudinal axis of the axial hinge.

Front platform 3 has an axial slot 25 therethrough adjacent its forward end for receiving at least a portion of front wheel 21. The front wheel is journalled on an axle 27 secured to the underface of front platform 3. The rear wheels 23a, 23b are journalled on the outer ends of a rear axle 29 secured to the undersurface of rear platform 11. As is best shown in FIG. 2, the front and rear wheels are generally of the same diameter so that the wheels support the front and rear platforms in a generally horizontal position.

As shown in FIG. 2, tongue 5 of front platform 3 and the forward end of rear platform 11 are adjacent one another. The rear platform carries a bracket 31 secured to the upper surface thereof extending forwardly over the rear portion of the front platform. The front platform has secured to its lower surface a second bracket 33. These brackets extend laterally beyond the sides of tongue 5 and rear platform 11 and at least a portion of the first bracket 31 is disposed above a portion of the second bracket 33. Springs 19 are interposed between brackets 31 and 33 whereby the springs maintain the ski skate a neutral horizontal position (see FIG. 3) in which platforms 3 and 11 are generally horizontal and coplanar. Upon the skier shifting his weight on the front platform relative to the longitudinal axis of the ski skate, platform 3 rotates about the axis of axial hinge 17 thereby compressing one of the springs 19 so to resist further rotation of the platforms and also to restore the platforms to their neutral position upon removal of the unbalanced forced on the ski skate. This relative rotational movement of the platforms simulates the movement of snow skis upon executing various skiing maneuvers, such as turning. More particularly, axial hinge [7 comprises a headed hinge pin 35 journalled in hinge collars 37 and 39 secured to the underside of tongue and to the underside of rear platform 11, respectively. The hinge pin is retained in place relative to collars 37 and 39 by means of a cotter pin 40. The axis of hinge pin 35 constitutes a longitudinal axis about which the forward platform rotates relative to the rear platform.

Means 7 for securing the ski skate to the skier's feet comprises a heel bracket 41 secured to the upper face of front platform 3 adjacent tongue 5 and a toe bracket 43 movable longitudinally along the length of the front platform between a series of fixed positions to accommodate skiers having different sized feet. Heel and toe brackets 41 and 43 each have a strap 45 for attachment of the ski skate to the skiers foot. As best shown in FIG. 1, toe bracket 43 has channel-shaped members 47 at each side thereof partially surrounding the edges of the ski platform for slidingly supporting the toe bracket on the front platform for longitudinal sliding movement therealong. The front platform has a series of holes 49 at equal intervals along each side margin of the front platform, these holes defining a plurality of fixed positions for the front toe bracket. Toe bracket 43 carries a locating pin 51 at each side thereof spring-loaded by a spring 53 for reception in a respective hole 49 in platform 3 thereby to positively secure the toe bracket relative to the front platform at any one of a series of desired positions corresponding to the spacing of holes 49 to accommodate skiers having different sized feet. It will be understood that to adjust the size of foot securement means 7, locating pins 51 need merely be moved vertically against the bias of their hold-down springs 53 so as to lift the lower ends of the pins clear of holes 49. The toe bracket may then be moved back and forth relative to the heel bracket to the desired position. Upon releasing the locating pins, their lower ends again are received in corresponding locating holes 49 thus securing the toe bracket in its desired position against axial sliding movement along the front platform. It will be understood that in using this invention, a skier may wish to use a pair of ski poles having blunt, rubbertipped ends for aiding in propelling the skier forward.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a lim iting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for simulating skiing including a pair of ski skates, each ski skate comprising an elongate first platform, means on said first platform for securement to the foot of a skier, first roller means carried by said first platform, a second platform, second roller means carried by the second platform, and means interconnecting said first and second platforms for enabling rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate, said interconnecting means including an axial hinge interconnecting said platforms and permitting relative rotation of the platforms about said longitudinal axis, and spring means interposed between said platforms for biasing said platforms to a generally neutral position in which said platforms are generally coplanar, whereby said skier shifting his weight on the first platform causes relative rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform, wherein one of said platforms has a first bracket secured thereto extending out over the adjacent end of the other of said platforms and said other platform has a second bracket secured thereto having a portion thereof in spaced vertical relation to a portion of said first bracket, said spring means comprising a pair of compression coil springs, one on one side of the axis of said axial hinge and the other on the other side thereof, said springs being interposed between said portions of said first and second brackets.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first roller means comprises a single wheel adjacent the outer end of said platform and said second roller means comprises a pair of wheels spaced side-by-side on said second platform, said first wheel being positioned substantially on the center plane of said ski skate and said pair of wheels being positioned on opposite sides of said center plane whereby upon said skier shifting his weight on the ski skate, said second platform remains generally horizontal and said first platform rotates on said axial hinge and on said first wheel about said longitudinal axis.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first platform has a longitudinal slot therein for reception of a portion of said first wheel.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim I wherein said foot securement means comprises a heel bracket and a toe bracket each having means for attachment to the skiers foot, one of said brackets being fixed to said first platform and the other bracket being movable longitudinally therealong between a series of fixed positions to accommodate skiers having different sized feet.

* l l l l 

1. Apparatus for simulating skiing including a pair of ski skates, each ski skate comprising an elongate first platform, means on said first platform for securement to the foot of a skier, first roller means carried by said first platform, a second platform, second roller means carried by the second platform, and means interconnecting said first and second platforms for enabling rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform about a longitudinal axis of the ski skate, said interconnecting means including an axial hinge interconnecting said platforms and permitting relative rotation of the platformS about said longitudinal axis, and spring means interposed between said platforms for biasing said platforms to a generally neutral position in which said platforms are generally coplanar, whereby said skier shifting his weight on the first platform causes relative rotation of the first platform relative to the second platform, wherein one of said platforms has a first bracket secured thereto extending out over the adjacent end of the other of said platforms and said other platform has a second bracket secured thereto having a portion thereof in spaced vertical relation to a portion of said first bracket, said spring means comprising a pair of compression coil springs, one on one side of the axis of said axial hinge and the other on the other side thereof, said springs being interposed between said portions of said first and second brackets.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first roller means comprises a single wheel adjacent the outer end of said platform and said second roller means comprises a pair of wheels spaced side-by-side on said second platform, said first wheel being positioned substantially on the center plane of said ski skate and said pair of wheels being positioned on opposite sides of said center plane whereby upon said skier shifting his weight on the ski skate, said second platform remains generally horizontal and said first platform rotates on said axial hinge and on said first wheel about said longitudinal axis.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first platform has a longitudinal slot therein for reception of a portion of said first wheel.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said foot securement means comprises a heel bracket and a toe bracket each having means for attachment to the skier''s foot, one of said brackets being fixed to said first platform and the other bracket being movable longitudinally therealong between a series of fixed positions to accommodate skiers having different sized feet. 